A/N : Dear Readers, thank you so much for poring in so much love for this story and affection for Nandini! As mentioned earlier, this wacky innocent version of Nandini is my absolute favourite, and I'm so glad you guys love her too!

About Manik now! :D :P

I know he's done some BADASS stuff and you all are angry! I get it, but how about we give him a little chance and see what he has to offer? I mean who knows, you might start liking him too! :D

On that note, I thought of updating a little early today,  I know many of you will be excited for Holi & the extended weekend, but do give this chapter a try - this one will make you laugh a little, I promise!

LASTLY, Happy Reading, and Happy Holi & Shaab-e-Barat in advance! (for the unaware, Holi celebration is symbolic of life, colours and a fresh new beginning of spring in Hindus, and Shaab-e-Barat is the day of the Muslim calendar when it is believed that God writes the destiny of all men and women for the coming year!)

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S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2012

(Manik's apartment, S.P.A.C.E. Campus, Staff Accommodation, East Wing)

Manik Malhotra

I was staring at the door and gaping at the visitor for a full minute before my smile broke out! This was unexpected to say the least. Would you imagine, it was ten minutes back when the incessant ringing of doorbell woke me up, I was cursing Cabir for screwing my Saturday morning sleep, as I trudged out of bed to get the door, but guess who was standing on the other side of the door with a wide grin and twinkling eyes plastered on her face?

Mukti.

Yes, my dear older sibling, Mukti.

It took me a little time to run the motors of my brain, to register her presence; but as the reality hit me, I forgot to welcome her in and engulfed her in a tight bear hug right at my doorstep! I was seeing her almost after a year and half! No, don't get us wrong, it's not like Mukti & I share a hot and cold relationship, not at all - she is the only family I acknowledge and we love each other to the moon and back; but as children from dysfunctional families would understand it better, the thing is we were never taught to stick together as a family. Throughout our childhood, we both kids have played along to the whims and fancies of our parents. Sometimes, mom would have me with her, and dad would have Mukti, and sometimes the other way around - only very occasionally would there be a time when either of our parents would take pity on us kids, and have both of us together under one roof - these are the times we'd cherish, these are the times we'd bond. So you got the gist, right? Mukti and I are very attached, but we are used to staying absent in each other's regular lives, our relationship thrived in minimal maintenance - thanks to the joke that was our 'family'!

"What on earth are you doing here, Mukti?" I asked, bewildered and she chuckled to her heart's content having successfully implemented her plan of surprising me!

"Arre, where else would I be? Not everyday does my young boy turn twenty! I am here for your birthday week, little bro!" she replied, breaking the hug and finally entering the apartment.

"Seriously? You're here for only me, for the whole week?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice. Again, another anecdote on children from dysfunctional families - we kids, aren't taught to do stuff for each other, it doesn't come to us naturally either. Hence, for me it was perfectly acceptable to have Mukti come over, for celebrating my birthday week with me, because she had to come to NYC for some work or the other, and coincidentally my birthday week fell around the same time - but to actually plan out time just for me?

Mukti looked at me with affectionate eyes, but it held a little pain too. I wondered why; of course, it must be that Murthy boy; Mukti was still suffering for him. I had decided to tell her in detail of my elaborate revenge plan and assure her that I had her back, and her heartbreaker was meeting a similar fate as her, but that was for later.

"Why bro, can't I be here for just you? Is it that unsettling to prioritise my own brother's birthday and fly down, keeping everything else aside?" she asked softly, as she gently touched my cheek.

I smiled and hugged her once more, "I love you, Mukti; and, I missed you" I whispered as she lovingly patted my head. I don't know why, but my eyes burned suddenly, why were my eyes tearing up? This hug, this familiarity, the sense of home reminded me of something, somewhere else, where I had felt similar, safe and protected and loved. There was this sudden longing I felt, for something which I couldn't quite put my finger on - and then suddenly my brain did a quick flip and the image of a certain tiny person flashed in my head - a cold January morning, when I woke up to find myself locked in her embrace, feeling warm, loved, protected and whole. A sigh escaped my lips, without my realisation.

"Chalo, now show me my room, we had a long flight!" I heard Mukti say and broke the hug to pick up her luggage and guide her to her room; when suddenly it struck me. We?

I casually glanced out of my door to see if there was anybody waiting in the corridor, but there was no one. I turned to Mukti with raised eyebrows questioning her, and she looked a little startled.

"We?" I asked.

"Er.. I mean me. As in, I am here alone, but I umm..didn't travel alone. I err..travelled with a friend." she finished her explanation, stammering.

What was so off about traveling with a friend, I wondered, and why was Mukti blushing? I stared at her unsure for a moment and it looked like there was something Mukti was dying to say, but had probably saved for later; I was in two minds, a part of me wanted to know right now, but another part of me, that got rattled at suddenly getting teary at Mukti's hug remembering a certain someone, wanted to be left alone for a bit.

"Okay, come get some rest, we have lots to catch up on! Once you're fresh, let's do dinner outside, and you can tell me everything!" I suggested with a smirk, air quoting the word, everything - she laughed at that and moved towards her room.

As I saw her move to the room, my thoughts were occupied once again, was there something I'm missing? Did that Murthy girl actually have some hold on me? Nope. Never. She liked to hug people I guess - she was hugging me a couple of months back, and now it was AK. That dog.

My hand fisted themselves automatically as I got reminded of the incident from a week back - how AK had his dirty hands, all over Nandini's waist while hugging her. As she was happily celebrating my defeat with him.

Le Bernardin Restaurant, 51st Street, circa 2012

(Round table of four, by the window; Saturday night)

Manik Malhotra

I stared at Mukti, she looked like she was bubbling to say something but was holding back. I wondered why? Upon inquiring, she said she was waiting for her friend to join us and then she had an announcement to make. Honestly, although I was happy to see her this excited, I was a bit surprised too - wasn't she the same person who was weeping her eyes out, crying for that Murthy boy, only a couple of months back? I mean I am happy that she had moved on from that jerk, and if my instincts were anything to go by, this 'friend' was probably a new guy she was seeing and hell excited about?

I was honestly in two minds about it, I mean it was good to see her happy, but I was haunted seeing her vulnerability last time, and as my protective brotherly feelings kicked in, I didn't want her to jump the guns on this new guy, all too soon. Also, how fast did women move on after break ups? Nyonica always moved on very fast, this I had seen throughout my teen years, after dad and her official separation - but I always thought that's just her, she had no heart; but seeing Mukti here, and judging by Nandini's growing affection towards AK, it seemed like women in general move on fast. Wow, so much for a 'severe' heartbreak that didn't even last six months; I found myself sighing when I heard Mukti's excited voice again.

"Look, they are here" she spoke chirpily. They? I thought she had travelled with one guy; but as I turned to look for a small troop walking towards our table, my thoughts were scattered in one moment - as I looked up, I saw someone else entering the restaurant too.

It was her. Nandini.

She was wearing a short dress that was creamy off white in colour; the colour seemed to almost merge with her skin tone, and hugged her body in all the right places. Her hair was left open and she had bare minimal make-up. I was lost in my world looking at her; whatever be the case, I have to give it to her - she was hands down beautiful! Her captivating eyes were twinkling and her lips twitched to a smile, as her eyes probably found the person she was looking for, in this restaurant.

Wait, who was that guy, behind her, that didn't look like AK. Damn, another guy already? I was about to pass a judgement on the frequent change of men in her life, when I really noticed the guy.

Damn it.

It was the Murthy boy, Abhimanyu!

What the f*ck were the siblings doing here? That too, today? I held my breath in apprehension, hoping Mukti wouldn't notice them, not when she was so happy, bubbly and excited all evening! But it took me another couple of seconds to realise that all hell had indeed frozen over, because the siblings were walking towards our table!

I saw Mukti get up and quickly meet them halfway and hug that son-of-a-b*tch tightly; I balled my fist in tension and incomprehension as my eyes fell on Nandini, who was standing next to them with a dreamy smile on her face.

Err..what the hell was happening!?

After hugging the Murthy f*cker, Mukti took Nandini in her embrace! I drew a sharp breath at the bizarreness of the situation, as they exchanged some polities and soon turned to come towards our table where I sat awaiting them like an absolute idiot.

She looked up finally and noticed me. Nandini.

A sharp breath escaped me. Was I holding it for this long?

Nandini's eyes fell on me when they were walking together towards our table and she stopped on her tracks for a second. Aah, she had finally acknowledged my presence. A smirk formed on my face - so much for ignoring me for these months.

No sooner she stopped on her tracks seeing me, that Murthy boy stopped and nudged her gently. Did he have to break her gaze from me? Bloody f*cker. She broke her gaze from me, much to my irritation and passed a smile to her brother and finally came and joined us on our table.

It was a round table of four and I had Mukti on one side and and the b*stard on the other, which left Nandini with no other option but to sit opposite me, and face me. I smiled satisfied. How will you ignore me now, Nandini?

My train of thought was broken by Mukti with her unnecessary cough to draw all our attention towards her. I saw Nandini break our gaze and turn to her. I slowly turned my attention towards the Murthy boy who sat next to me and looked delusionally happy, looking at Mukti; then I slowly turned to look at my sister, who was looking at me with eyes shining with excitement.

I beckoned her with my expression to explain this mad tea party and she obliged first with a chuckle and then with an introduction.

"Manik, I would like you to officially meet the love of my life, Abhimanyu." she said sincerely, looking at me with pleading eyes. Although I cannot say I was shocked anymore, nonetheless I huffed in vexation and gave the Murthy boy a glare, before looking back at Mukti. The guy looked surprised, seeing me giving him a death glare; from the corner of my eyes, I saw Nandini rolling her eyes at my reaction.

I turned to Mukti and was about to say something, when she held my hand and cut me short. "Look Manik, I know you aren't comfortable with this. It is not even his fault, you know, Abhi" she turned to Abhimanyu and spoke in my defence; it bothered me, why'd she have to protect my image before that pathetic man, did she feel I was intimidated by that Murthy guy?

"You see, when we broke up last time, Manik was my only crying shoulder. You know our family situation right, he is all I have and we are very protective about each other. So he might seem a bit cold, right now. But once he knows everything..." Mukti spoke to Abhimanyu and then turned to me, still holding my hand, "Also Manik, I wanted to tell you this many times, but seeing how irked you would get at the mention of his name, I could never tell you that we have gotten back together..I really thought it was best to tell you this in person and also I was sure that once you actually met my Abhi, you'd dismiss all negative thoughts about him" she finished earnestly, while looking hopefully at me with puppy eyes.

As I stared at her face upon this revelation, I felt Abhimanyu, gently tapping my shoulder. I was in a mind snooze state, I didn't know what to say, what to feel and how to react. Mukti & Abhimanyu had sorted their differences? When? Then what about what I did to Nandini? I glanced at her once and saw her looking down, trying her best to not meet anyones' eyes.

"I understand, babe. I know it is not Manik's fault. I would literally react the same way, if someone hurt my Nandu" he said kindly, looking at me. I felt heavy at the pit of my stomach; if only this guy had any clue of what I did to his sister. This thought led me to a further horrifying thought - what if, after learning of my deed from Nandini, he becomes a d*ck and indeed decided to break Mukti's heart? How would I ever forgive myself? I would then be the cause of Mukti's misery and of all the blames I can take of the world, being the cause for Mukti's tears wasn't one.

"No Abhi, I don't think you'd react the same way" her soft voice broke me from my perilous thoughts. This was the first time Nandini spoke after joining our table. My head snapped towards her, but she was looking at her brother with a vacant expression. Her sentence pinched me, but I kept quiet. I didn't know how to put my point across. Mukti was important to me, and she, Nandini was a nobody - why was I expected to spare her feelings when I thought her brother didn't spare my sister's?

"No, Nandu. Your Dufus Murthy might look all chill, but he has a very strict policy of 'No mister, hurts my little sister', let me tell you!" It was Mukti, who spoke jovially this time, Abhi laughed at this, while Nandini smiled at her.

"Manik, what say, can we make a fresh start? Also let me tell you, the whole break up was your sister's genius idea in the beginning!" he tried making conversation with me again, on a lighter note. I nodded looking at him with a small smile, but there was a whirlwind inside me, but I couldn't make a sound about it. Mukti and her relationship with this guy was tipping on a very delicate balance scale; any wrong move would screw up everything for good.

Mukti seemed relieved, she seemed to think I was taking all this information rather maturely, and she had succeeded in moving the mountain away, between her beau and brother.

"By the way Manik, in all this we forgot to introduce you to this adorable little being sitting here" this time when Mukti spoke, I gulped. Finally the elephant in the room will be addressed. Nandini will open her mouth and all will be ruined. "Meet Nandini, she is Abhi's sister - by the looks of it, you both don't know each other, but she studies in S.P.A.C.E. too."

I nodded at Mukti and looked back at Nandini, to nod in acknowledgment of her introduction. For some reason, I didn't feel like meeting her eyes anymore.

"But I know him." she replied quietly looking at me, in response to Mukti. My head shot up and heartbeats got erratic in baited anticipation. That's it, Mukti's love story will be destroyed any moment now, I randomly thought to myself and silently gestured for Nandini to not spill.

"Really? How? See Abhi, I told you my Manik is Mr. Popular, here in Uni." Mukti laughed in pride as Abhimanyu smiled and looked at Nandini.

"He is the guy, my best friend, Arya defeated in the football match about a week back" she replied with a small smile, looking at Mukti. While I gave her a death glare, I found Mukti pouting and Abhimanyu sniggering at Mukti, for her elaborate introduction of me.

That's it.

I officially hate the Murthy siblings.

"It was a friendly match" I replied, as coldly as I could, with gritted teeth.

"Haha, no worries, better luck next time, buddy!" Abhimanyu cajoled me; much to my irritation, I was finding lesser and lesser reasons to hate this guy. He was kind of sweet!

Damn, this was f*cked up.

The rest of the dinner went decently, since I realised Nandini had no intentions of ratting me out, not tonight at least. I also wondered if it made sense for me to own up to Mukti about my deed, but I wasn't sure. What if out of some misplaced sense of guilt, she fessed up to Abhimanyu and their relationship fell through even without Nandini's provocation?

I stole a glance at Nandini, and she was politely smiling and talking to both Mukti & her brother, but it seemed like she had completely blocked me out, despite the fact that I was a mountain sized man sitting right before her eyes. I wondered why she didn't tell them about me and my game, what was going on in her little mind?

As I glanced at Nandini one more time, she completely ignored me again, but I saw Mukti smirking at me.

God, No. Please don't give her any ideas now. Please?

But despite everything being okay right then, it looked like I had f*cked things up big time, and I was guilty that all four of us had to bear the consequences of my action now.

My only defense, although it seemed pretty weak at this point was, I did his for love.

My immense love, for my only family - my only sibling.

Mukti.

***

A/N : Well? Please tell me how you found this chapter? Is Manik still the big baddie, do you think he has room for improvement? I am so eager to hear from you guys!! What arr your thoughts about the story so far?

Awaiting for some love, vote & comments!

Next update : 3rd April, 2021

Stay tuned!

Love,

A.